My Last days in Zambia

I've been home for 1 month now. Readjusting to the comforts of home has been strange. Where I'm glad not to have to carry buckets of water and hitchhike around the country, I think about my friends who are still serving and the villagers I miss. Daily life for them is still difficult. I want to try to support them in anyway I can. It's been so nice to be with family and friends and to work on the relationships that were strained while I was away. I'm happy to say that things are getting better and I have no regrets in my decision to come home.

First of all, I'm so happy to report that we got Jazzy HOME! I was so worried for awhile that we weren't going to make it happen. Thank you so much to everyone who helped me. To those people in Zambia who picked up a white girl on the side of the road carrying a dog to my friend and family who donated for her plane ticket! I appreciate your generosity so much and I will always thank you! During those last few days in Zambia as I made it step by step closer to getting onto the plane I told Jazz I wasn't going without her! Whether I was trying so hard for her sake or for mine I'm not really sure. I suppose a combination of the two. When I dropped her off at the airport I worried the trip would be to much for her and I questioned if bringing her to America was the right decision. The plan was for both of us to board the plane in Lusaka at midnight and land 10hrs later in Amsterdam. From there, I would continue on to New York and then Boston while she flew the next day direct to Boston. I tried to get her on my same flight but just couldn't make it work. It was so great to finally hit Boston on July 19th and see three people I love and missed so much! I missed New England too even if it was the middle of a 90 degree heatwave when I arrived! We were going to spend the night in Boston and pick Jazzy the next day. That's not quite how it happened though. Because of the intense heat the airline didn't put her on the flight and said she would be coming the next day. I was worried like crazy wondering if she was being taken care of and fed. They told me she was probably less stressed out that I was and that she would be fine. There wasn't much we could do so, we headed to Maine and went back the Boston the next day. Thankfully the heat broke and the lady at the cargo desk said she was here! When I opened the cage it was the same little puppy as before! She didn't seem fazed in the least! She looked up at me as if to say "oh, there you are. I knew I'd see you again"! I guess she had more faith than I did. I don't know if I could have managed my year in Peace Corps without that little dog and now readjusting to being home is easier because she's with me.

 The new adventures of Jazzy!

  These are some of my last days in Zambia spent at Victoria Falls in Livingstone.

The rarely seen hunchback of Victoria Falls caught on camera

Elephant Ride!

Wildlife!

Sunset Cruise!

In the days to come my plans are to fundraise for the school in Chibobo and to try to find interested partners to continue work with the Green Living Movement. I'm excited to see what I can do to help my village from America. I'll be keeping you posted on my progress and news. 

Good-bye is not forever

This past week in my village has been really special. It gave me time to think and appreciate everything around me. The birds songs sounded stronger, the wind and sun felt more noticeable on my skin, even the rooster that I've been so rudely awakened by on countless mornings seemed to turn a corner. The good-byes to my host family and friends were difficult but so meaningful and I'm glad I had the opportunity to come back one last time. I changed my mind so many times during my trip to Livingstone. But after being at Victoria Falls the decision to come home just felt right. Standing next to such a powerful and extraordinary site helped to clear my mind. Maybe the rushing water drowned my doubts.

Everything in life has its purpose and leads you where you should go. I have the direction I was looking for when I first came to Zambia. I know who and what is important. I know I want to continue with this type of work from America. I'm still going to see the school we started fundraising for completed. I WILL be back some day because this village and its people are holding a piece of me. They asked me when I left not to forget them; that wouldn't be possible.

This week I've taken so many photos and video. It will give you at home a glimpse but not the true feeling for what life is like in Zambia. Someday, I hope to come back to Chibobo and show you in person.... The photos and video are nice but all the special moments that have made up my journey will only be mine. I've been able to share the joy of a newly born baby and the grief when someone passes. Not that I haven't experienced these things in America but its just different here...... I can't explain it….?

One of my best memories happened just last night on my last day in the village. After dinner at the orphanage, I brought out all the art supplies that people have sent to me, t-shirts & paint, markers, coloring books, crayons, beads, and more. The group of us, about 60 total, just sat on the floor and played. Some of these kids never get to play with items like this and to see their faces light up and forget they've lost their parents and that life is hard....was so nice!

I'll be making my way to Lusaka tomorrow. It's a 5-6hr drive if I have good luck with transportation. When I get there I'll board Jazzy with the vet and start the medical clearance process on Friday. If all goes well, we'll be on a plane one week from today! I'm looking forward to being home for good. My time here has been great but I have a newly found appreciation for "HOME"! That's not really a place, but it's the people I miss. I wish I could have brought you all with me. If everyone could experience what I have, the world would be a much different place. So until then, I'll just try to relay the message as best I can :)

Help Jazzy Come to America!

Hello everyone,

I've set up a fundrazr account to try and get donations to bring my zambian dog home. Jazzy was abused as a puppy and likely would not have survived on her own without the support of PC volunteers. Now I'd like to bring her back to America with me so she can stay in the loving home that she is now used to.

I'm working with a local area Veterinarian to get Jazzy a cage, import documents, and a plane ticket home.
Please check out this fund and spread the word.

Thank you so much!

  














https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cYAN7

Back to America

After one year as a PCV in Zambia it's time for me to go home to America. I have been so blessed for the opportunity to be here and experience this culture. I've made so many wonderful friends both in PC and in my village. It will be so difficult to leave them but I know I'll always have a connection to Zambia and the people I've met. I hope to continue this work once I return. With luck I can partner with the Help Ministry Orphanage, the schools, and the hard working women's groups I've met.

The next few weeks will be filled with tears and goodbyes but it wont be forever. I'll see Zambia again because this is such a wonderful and amazing country.

The next challenge is to get my puppy dog Jazzy back with me. She has been such a great companion to me here and I can't imagine her not having the love and affection she is now used to. I've started looking into ways to take her with me. I've even sent a letter to the ASPCA asking them for help. It might be a long shot but I have hope that someone will take note.

I'll keep updating on the events of the next couple of weeks and with any luck mine and Jazzy's feet/paws will set down on American soil very soon!!!